Competition among shipping lines on the Dublin to Holyhead crossing of the Irish Sea is about to intensify - if only among those seeking adjectives to describe their vessels.
The route which already boasts ships bearing the title "World's Largest Car Ferry" and "World's Largest Fast Ferry" will from next summer be able to boast the title "longest ferry on the Irish Sea".
At 211 metres the newcomer which is due in service next summer, is just under two metres longer than the world's largest car ferry, the Irish Ferries' vessel Ulysses. Ulysses has a higher capacity, about 500 extra "lane metres" - or accommodation for almost three miles of cars, to you and me.
Between them the ships - the newcomer is to be called the Stena Adventurer, Stena announced yesterday - greatly increase carrying capacity on the Irish Sea. In just one day of operations, the Ulysses alone could transport 5,368 cars or 960 articulated trucks between Ireland and Britain - a convoy of vehicles over 10 miles long that would stretch the length of Dublin's M50 motorway from the M1 junction to Tallaght.
But if Stena's new vessel doesn't have quite that capacity it points out its deployment will increase freight capacity by 70 per cent and passenger capacity by 50 per cent on the central corridor route.
Currently under construction in South Korea at a cost of €100 million the vessel is to be served in Dublin and Holyhead by two-tier bow and stern loading facilities. Stena expects the new loading system will improve the speed and efficiency of turnaround times.
The Stena Adventurer has 11 decks and promises bars, restaurants, dedicated motorists' and freight drivers' lounges, shops, a cinema, leisure areas, conference rooms, cabins and children's play areas.
Stena is also investing in a £12.3 million sterling refit at Holyhead with assistance from the European Regional Development Fund.
The Dublin Port Transport Users' Group has rejected advice from officials of the Department of Transport that amending the height of the Port Tunnel could have safety implications.
The users' group wants the level of the road - which is not yet installed - lowered to give extra clearance and allow high vehicles such as car-transporters to use the facility.
It is understood that Department officials recently told the Minister of State with responsibility for traffic Mr Jim McDaid, that to lower the level of the floor in the tunnel would reduce the width of escape routes on either side of the road. This would have implications for wheelchair bound people in the event of an emergency. The TUG said it would be possible to lower the road by almost one metre before this became a factor. It is seeking a meeting with the Minister to press its case.
